The EMA is available to eligible 16-19 year olds and is worth £30 per week.
The recent release of figures for EMAs awarded by the Scottish government shows a decline over the last four years rather than an increase in Dundee.
This adds up to a reduction in the number of students from low income households who are staying on at school or doing a College course. At a time when youth unemployment in our city is stubbornly high, this reduction in EMAs is a backward step.
The SNP in Scotland has already cut spending on further education colleges like Dundee College and they are now planning to cut another £50 million from the budget for Colleges over the next 2 years. As a result, the number of teaching staff, courses and places will be cut, and the ability of the colleges to help more students improve their skills and job opportunities will be reduced.”
Taken together these reductions in EMAs and cuts in College budgets are bad news for our young people.
Councillor Lesley Brennan said: The economy and the community benefit from investing in students staying on at school or going to college to improve their qualifications and skills. Previous research has estimated that the net economic benefit to Scotland from the work of colleges could be at least £1.3 billion a year. For every £1 invested in colleges, an estimated £3.20 is generated in assets. I know that many young people in the East End Ward would benefit from the personal advantage that comes from staying on at school or doing a training course at College. Not only would each student gain, but it would also give a handsome payback to us all in Dundee.